International Remote Sensing Summer School, 2023

Experiencing Remote Sensing on Sardinia inland site: Advanced summer school on instruments and methodology for a CAL/VAL site for Optical data. First edition.

San Vero Milis, Oristano, Italy

Jul. 17-21^th, 2023

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences of the University of Cagliari (DSCG-UNICA), jointly with the Italian Association of Remote Sensing (AIT), in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) organized the First edition of the International Remote Sensing Summer School:  Experiencing Remote Sensing on Sardinia inland site: Advanced summer school on instruments and methodology for a CAL/VAL site for Optical data.

PURPOSE:

The school aimed to propose a candidate spot in western Sardinia as Calibration/Validation site for hyperspectral satellite data

During the school, through the collection of radiometric, atmospheric and topographic data from direct measures and proximal sensing (field spectroradiometer, optical, thermal, and Lidar sensors from UAVs), the site was characterized, and its candidature discussed. The geologic and physiographic description of the site was explained, and the collection of the rock/mineral samples for their spectral characterization will be proposed. The school introduced the students to the principles of radiometric data processing through guided activities into the handling and understanding of the data collected in the field.   

SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME:

The School was organized in 5 days of activities., starting on Monday 17 at 4:00pm and closing on Friday 21 at 2pm.

The activities were based on the collection of suitable data in the field and their first processing.  During each day, in the morning the activities dedicated to the measures with sensors (e.g. on-board of UAVs and field spectral instrumentation) have been carried out, and in the afternoon the students were guided on the processing of the data collected in the field.

ATTENDANCE:

The school was open to early career scientists or employers, such as Ph.D. students, young post-doctoral scientists, technicians specialized in Earth Sciences and Remote Sensing disciplines, wishing to expand and improve their knowledge and skills on EO.

25 selected international students attended the school.

ORGANIZATION BOARD:

Maria Teresa Melis, DSCG-UNICA

Massimo Musacchio, INGV

Stefano Andreucci, DSCG-UNICA

Andrea Buono, University Parthhenope, Naples

Stefano Naitza, DSCG-UNICA

Deodato Tapete, ASI

SCIENTIFIC BOARD:

Stefano Andreucci, DSCG-UNICA

Enrico Borgogno Mondino, AIT

Giovanni Battista De Giudici, DSCG-UNICA

Maria Antonietta Dessena, AIT

Nicola Famiglietti, INGV

Michal Gallay, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ), Slovakia

Lorenzo Guerrieri, INGV

Ján Kaňuk, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ), Slovakia

Liang Xinlian, Wuhan University, Wuhan, CHINA

Enrica Marotta, INGV

Maria Teresa Melis, DSCG-UNICA

Maurizio Migliaccio, University Parthhenope, Naples

Massimo Musacchio, INGV

Stefano Pignatti, IMAA-CNR

Stefano Naitza, DSCG-UNCA

Laura Pioli, DSCG-UNICA

Malvina Silvestri, INGV

Deodato Tapete, ASI

Sergio Teggi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

DSCG-UNICA STAFF ORGANIZATION:

Marco Casu

Claudia Collu

Francesco Dessì

Salvatore Noli

Costantino Pala

SPONSORSHIP:

Italian Association of Remote Sensing -AIT

Italian Space Agency-ASI

National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology -INGV

International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - ISPRS

University of Cagliari - UNICA

Municipality of San Vero Milis

SHORT REPORT

The desert setting of this stunning location welcomed 25 students from around the world, accompanied by a group of specialists from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, coordinated by Massimo Musacchio and Erica Marotta; the Italian Space Agency, represented by Tapete Deodato; the University of Kosick in Slovakia, under the supervision of Jan Kanuk; and the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences of the University of Cagliari, coordinated by Maria Teresa Melis. The school is supported by the Italian Remote Sensing Association (AIT) and the International Association of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), which ensured international dissemination of the initiative.

Mayor Luigi Tedeschi opened the proceedings in the welcoming spaces of the Council Chamber, carefully decorated by his colleagues from the Municipality. The importance of this initiative for the Oristano area was emphasized by the mayor, who strongly supported it. Lorenzo Pinna, Mayor of Riola Sardo, welcomed the participants, paying particular attention to the presence of young people.

The study days began with field surveys using direct and drone-mounted sensors. The students were able to observe the flights of new drone data acquisition systems capable of carrying large sensors for the geological and topographic spectral characterization of the pond's surface.

The high temperatures did not dampen the students' interest and enthusiasm for these new technologies, and a close-knit group was quickly formed, capable of disseminating and further exploring the applied methodologies in their home locations in the future.

The University of Cagliari staff, composed of Salvatore Noli, Francesco Dessì, Claudia Collu, Marco Casu, and Mariana Correa, were particularly attentive in engaging the students, who were curious about the natural beauty this site offers.

The initial results of the activities carried out confirm the site's potential for space exploration and, as emphasized by Professor Stefano Naitza, suggest the need to deepen our understanding of the recent geological history of this unique inland basin.